Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's diabetes, IHD, and hypertension are granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides. PDR and peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes, intestinal condition, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and heart condition due to incomplete responses in previous opinions. The Veteran's death while his appeal was pending allowed substitution with his spouse as the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for attorney fees related to the February 2019 rating decision is being remanded due to procedural issues, including failure to notify both parties of their rights and the need for a NOD. The main issue on appeal is whether the Veteran is eligible for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the February 2019 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, finding that the Veteran did not meet criteria for direct service connection due to lack of medical nexus between in-service exposure and current diagnosis. The appeal was also dismissed as there was no herbicide agent exposure or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The Board also found new and material evidence to reopen claims for heart disorder, intolerance to chemicals, acid reflux, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), joint pain (including fibromyalgia), chronic diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and circadian rhythm disorder, but these issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disorder was dismissed due to his death, and the Court issued a dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are granted on a secondary basis, while tinnitus is granted. High cholesterol, left leg disability (apart from service-connected left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy), right leg disability (apart from service-connected right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy), coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and thyroid disability are all denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded other claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing adequate opinions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing all issues on appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining a Social Security earnings report to determine the Veteran's income from October 2015 to the present. The TDIU claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease from May 15, 2018 was denied. The Board also granted TDIU on a schedular basis since December 22, 2021, but remanded the issue of TDIU to include on an extraschedular basis prior to December 22, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various conditions due to new evidence being added to the record after the January 2020 SOC. The Veteran is asked to waive AOJ review of this additional evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee condition, high cholesterol, and heart condition as these issues have been fully granted in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting findings regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and his participation in a TERA. The RO is tasked with verifying these claims, conducting additional development related to Travis Air Force Base exposures, and readjudicating the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his workload is less than 7 METs and he does not have evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his heart disability and related surgeries, prevent him from obtaining and sustaining gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence supports referral of the claim for TDIU to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has found that there is not substantial compliance with its remand directives and requires further development for the issues of service connection for a heart disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral restless leg syndrome. The VA medical opinions obtained were inadequate to support the decisions on these claims.

The Board has remanded the claim for a more comprehensive medical opinion regarding whether VA's failure to conduct a planned cardiac catheterization in March 2010 contributed to the worsening of the Veteran's heart condition. The appeal is now pending again due to the need for another examination.